Georgian chant

Georgian chant is the music sung in the Georgian Orthodox Church for daily and weekly services. It is sung in three-voiced polyphony without instrumental accompaniment. There are many musical styles and performance practices, and a long history of transmission and musical development. It has been sung since at least 326 AD, when Saint Nino, Enlightener of Georgians, converted King Mirian and Queen Nana of Iberia, a Georgian speaking kingdom in the South Caucasus region.

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Recent Posts

Pilimon Koridze

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The transcription of West Georgian chant revolves around the efforts of one vital figure, Pilimon Koridze (1835-1911). Koridze was made a saint of the Georgian Orthodox Church on December 20th, 2011. In this... Read More

Sandro Kavsadze Choir

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Sandro Kavsadze (1874-1939) was one of Georgia's greatest singers. Born in 1874 in the village of Khovle (in the Kaspi district of eastern Georgia), he was first taught to sing by his father,... Read More

georgian chant

Lord’s Prayer (Mamao Chveno)

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The Lord's Prayer is sung mostly as a recitative in Georgian Orthodox services. One of the more popular variants in the Kashveti Church where I have sung for many years is the variant... Read More

history of georgian chant

Georgian Easter chant – Christ is Risen!

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Easter is a season for singing, and no chant is more prophetic and beloved than the short troparion, “Christ is Risen!” In the Georgian language, “Kriste aghdga!” (ქრისტე აღდგა!). For a full discussion... Read More

Shen khar venakhi

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The hymn shen khar venakhi is the most well known Georgian chant both within country and among the global singing community. This polyphonic chant features various glorious musical settings, and a sublime text... Read More

Ekvtime Kereselidze

Ekvtime Kereselidze

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Ekvtime Kereselidze (1865-1944) is a vital figure in the history of Georgian religious chant. His courageous actions in the frightening years between the assassination of Ilia Chavchavadze in 1907 and the Bolshevik terror... Read More

jvarsa shensa 3

Jvarsa shensa – rare variant

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Jvarsa Shensa – rare variant I’ve been excited recently to memorize a gamshvenebuli kilo version of the popular chant Jvarsa Shensa that I discovered in one of... Read More